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The push/pull Lars vs. the quad-parallel SET Allnic Audio Labs A-6000 monos vs. the SET Yamamoto A-09S
With my Acoustic System Int. Tango R reference speakers, 8 watts are more than sufficient to generate all the sound pressure desired (well below unity gain from a standard 2V source I might add) and all the bass control required on a linear 6-ohm impedance below 1000Hz. 'Advancing' from there to 20 Swedish to 50 Korean watts created no audible advantages. In fact, ascending sound performance reflected inverted pricing. The Yamamoto came in first followed by the Allnic monos which shared key traits but didn't fully equal the A-09S in vocal intimacy and low-level resolution.

Compared to these single-endeds, theLars was rather darker and emotionally quite more distanced. It was less extended on top, had more pronounced bass and less jump factor on transients. It put a damper on energy, diminished separation of micro events -- finger slides on strings for instance -- and put rather less accentuation of microdynamic inflections in a singer's cadence. When you hear a favorite track multiple times in a row and the prickling scalp and raised hackles occur the third and sixth time with the same amp and not the two others, it's not imagination or psychology. Objectifying why you otherwise have the lack of emotional response is the tough bit. I'll try.

The word 'damping' usually is a positive when applied to a speaker's bass systems that lacks control. More damping then becomes improved breaking power. The driver stops when the signal does. Post ringing which blurs impact is suppressed. That's a mechanical phenom. Damping also exists as an energetic one. Too much regulation in electronic circuits can kill musical energy for example. Ditto for excessive powerline filtering. There silence may deepen while spunk and excitement take a hit.


Compared to the single-ended amps, theLars felt/sounded damped in this second undesirable sense. Like human personality won't change with a haircut or fancier threads, an amp's sonic gestalt is unlikely to change with tube rolling. Not that you expect to pay through the nose, then improve this amp by throwing more money at better valves. One insists that Engström have done his homework to outfit the amp with the best possible glass. I thus suspect the circuit itself.


Sonically, this damping traces back to a more hooded treble, less incision power on leading edges and a minor bass emphasis. It all combines to less pace and more girth and gemütlichkeit. What suffers in turn particularly on vocals is that heightened sense of being addressed directly which causes people to go triode in the first place. Related to damping in general, there's a reduction of buoyancy or flexibility. Things are stiffer - more frozen, less alive. This creates participatory distance. You don't feel involved enough. This isn't because there's really something amiss with the sound per se. I might want a bit more illumination on top, you might prefer the minor emphasis on the other end exactly as it is. In terms of the amp's personality, that's window dressing.


The vital issue is gestalt. We're more in transistory territory. That is drier, stiffer, more sorted, less on the breath. Bach on a sewing machine rather than swinging with Jacques Loussier. In short, in the above system context, I heard no compelling reason to spend four times what the Yamamoto with ModWright's LS 36.5 (or Allnic's competing L-4000) linestage demands. Quite the opposite. Hence we're full circle with my earlier assessment. Up to $20,000, the integrated Lars competes. It requires no external preamp and, into an 8-ohm load, doubles the usual output power of stereo or mono single-triode 300B amps. To be compelling at its current price relies squarely on profound consumer ignorance about what the competition offers. Building an amp for personal pleasure is one thing. Going commercial with real chances of success is another. Playing in the luxury league mandates a good variety of trim options to insure that the amps' color and texture scheme matches many a different highly decorated interior. Lars Engström still needs to do more research on the current status quo, rethink where his contribution to the art falls within the bigger picture, then adapt accordingly on price, finish, performance or any combination thereof.

About which Lars Engström had this to add: "It is good to describe theLars as an art object. TheLars can be ordered in a number of different veneers, with different metal surfaces and different tube brands. We will take care of all criticisms regarding quality and update the amps to meet the highest quality requirements. We will deliver the amps and set them up at the customer's home if they want. Later we will release a stereo amp in a more conventional enclosure but still with the best sound and highest quality we can. The stereo amp will have a lower price but I cannot give an exact figure at this moment. Timo is working on a number of Photoshop mock-ups to show the amplifier with different wood and metal combinations. These pictures will be added to our website shortly."


Final analysis
Think of theLars as a fine art statement then. My review loaners were simply dispatched prematurely, before "the crowning picture frame" had been perfected yet. Sound first customers who are unwilling or unable to pay extra for these artistic elements might consider the cosmetically simplified version whose price remains to be announced...
Quality of packing: Needs to be improved as outlined in the review.
Reusability of packing: Multiple times.
Ease of unpacking/repacking: Easy.
Condition of component received: Used with signs of wear on certain gold trim bits. Umbilical needs upgrading.
Completeness of delivery: Complete.
Quality of owner's manual: Content good, presentation too basic.
Ease of assembly: Not complicated but acrylic panels should be installed in final location.
Website comments: Should have more hard-core tech data on circuit implementation and parts choices.
Human interactions: Prompt.
Pricing: Extremely costly, some would say vulgar or grotesque even.
theLars website